Thirty-seven people have been injured in a toxic leak at a chemical factory on Teesside.

All the casualties suffered burns, skin irritation and breathing difficulties at the BASF site in Seal Sands, near Billingham, on Thursday morning.

According to the North East Ambulance Service, 17 people have been taken to hospital, one with serious burns.

The 20 remaining casualties were decontaminated and discharged. BASF is investigating the cause of the leak.

Nine people have been taken to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, and seven to North Tees Hospital.

The man suffering from serious burns is being treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The chemical involved is hexamethylenediamine, used in the manufacture of a wide range of plastics.